Rovers took to the Dalymount pitch resplendent in Pink jersey's but the night ended in disappointment as a goal in each half from Jason Byrne gave the homeside all three points. The first half saw plenty of action with Cahill's ball over the defence finding Twigg but his shot was deflected for a corner after just 3 minutes. Deegan then shot just wide at the other end. Robinson and Twigg traded passes on 7 mins but a defender got back to clear. The chances kept on coming and when Cahill failed to clear in his own area Byrne shot straight at Murphy when well placed.

Bradley then waltzed past the home defence after 10 mins but his shot from an angle hit the outside of the post. Ref. Winter pointed to the spot when Rice caught Deegan from behind in the area and Byrne fired the penalty past Murphy. However Rovers got into the game following the Bohs goal and on 25 mins Bradley found Baker in the box and Brian Murphy got down well to save his shot. The Hoops had plenty of possession but couldn't find a way past the Bohs rearguard.

The home side were dangerous on the break and when Ndo pounced on a stray pass to find Crowe in the box it took a fine save from Murphy to deny the Bohs striker.

When Oman was booked for a reckless tackle on Cahill, Stephen Bradley stepped up to smash the free-kick off the right-hand post, the ball rebounded across goal and was cleared but there was a strong call for handball from the Rovers players. The last five minutes of the half produced more chances and Byrne found Deegan in the area but the Bohs number 4 was denied by a brilliant save from Barry Murphy. Bradley won possession of the ball with two minutes remaining and bore down on goal but Murphy parried his shot from close range. The ball eventually fell to Robinson but he fired his shot over the bar. Crowe tried to lob Murphy when well placed but the Hoops 'keeper easily claimed the ball.

The second-half didn't produce the excitement of the first period as Rovers struggled to break down the resolute Bohs defence. Bradleys free-kick on 56 minutes sailed over the cross-bar as did Ndo's shot following a long run after 61 minutes. The Hoops were dealt a devastating blow on 63 mins when Ndo crossed low for Byrne to slot home his second of the evening. Rice did well to get in to the Bohs box three mins later but Cahill's cross was blocked.

Rovers were living off scraps now as Bohs tightened their grip on the game. Robinson almost got on the end of a deflected through ball on 73 mins and the introduction of Cameron and O'Connor failed to give Rovers any edge.

When Price lost possession on 76 mins it took a fine stop by Murphy to deny Bohs a third. Robinson and O'Connor combined well with 10 mins remaining but Brian Murphy took the cross well under pressure from Twigg. Robinson's free-kick on 86 mins was easily saved by the Bohs 'keeper. Bermngham's cross beat Murphy on 89 mins but was cleared at the back post. Barry Murphy was alert in the dying minutes to race from his line to make a vital block.